Lawyers' body request opposition to discuss Bill in parliament

NEW DELHI: The lawyers body of all six district courts today requested the opposition parties to consider and discuss an amended Bill in Parliament regarding enhancement of pecuniary jurisdiction of trial courts.

The coordination committee of all district courts bar associations continued with their indefinite strike against the delay in passing the bill. The lawyers are also on a relay hunger strike since yesterday.

"The co-ordination committee has decided to continue with the agitation and has requested to the opposition to consider and discuss the Bill without obstructing the Parliament," the committee's convenor, advocate Sanjeev Nasiar, said in a statement.

The lawyers' body said that the bill was presented in Parliament yesterday but discussion on it was deferred due to "disturbance created by opposition".

The indefinite strike, started on July 21, has affected the judicial work in all the six district courts -- Patiala House, Tis Hazari, Karkardooma, Rohini, Saket and Dwarka.

The lawyers' body said the full bench of Delhi High Court had recommended to the Centre that pecuniary jurisdiction be enhanced from the existing Rs 20 lakh to Rs two crore, but the bill has not yet been passed in the Parliament.

In May this year, the lawyers had called off their 15-day strike after the Rajya Sabha passed the Delhi High Court (Amendment) Bill to increase pecuniary jurisdiction of the trial courts here.